Cologne secure return to Bundesliga

21 April 2014 10:16

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Cologne will be back in the top tier of the Bundesliga next season after wrapping up the second division title on Monday evening.

Peter Stoeger's side came from behind to beat Bochum 3-1 in front of a near-capacity crowd at their 50,000-seat Rheinenergiestadion to open up an unassailable 10-point lead over second-placed Greuther Fuerth with just three games remaining, and fans invaded the pitch at full-time in celebration.

The Billy Goats are historically one of Germany's biggest clubs but have flitted between the top two divisions in recent years and were last among the elite in 2011-12.

Cologne have been German champions three times, including in the inaugural season of the Bundesliga in 1963-64, but their last major trophy success came in the German Cup in 1983.